The Covington Baptist Association has called a new director of missions – the Rev. Otis Corbitt.

The Rev. Byram Lambert said the CBA’s executive committee made its decision in a special called meeting Tuesday.

The Rev. Corbitt served in the U. S. Army in Hawaii where his wife, Geri, taught school. The couple, which also includes their two children – Kenyon, 22, and Devon, 18 – have traveled the world.

For some 15 years, the Corbitts have served churches in Alabama and Georgia. The entire family served as International Missionaries in England and West Africa. Upon their return, he served as Director of Missions for the Salem-Troy Association in Troy.

“As for my goal, what I want to do is be sure, first and foremost, is to not mess up the good things that are going on here in the association,” Corbitt said. “The CBA has a great rep with the Baptist Association and a lot of great ministries going on with great leaders. Now I have an opportunity to stand on their shoulders and build on that.”

Corbitt graduated from New Orleans Baptist Seminary in New Orleans with a master of divinity in 1989.

In his years of service as a state missionary brother, Corbitt has ministered to all 75 local Baptist Associations in Alabama. He also serves in the Alabama National Guard as a chaplain. Corbitt said he looks forward to meeting all church congregations and pastors, and serving in Covington County. He will assume duties on or about Sept.15, 2012

“My first few months, I plan to get to know everyone, because there are a lot of people I need to meet,” he said. “Then, I hope to look in the future at how to improve on a very good stituation. There are new people to touch with the gospel. The good thing about the CBA is they are willing to do that. They have done some groundbreaking ministries that have now for them become common place, but are not in other parts.

“I know they are willing to take on new challenges, and I’m looking forward to finding those, addressing those, grasping them and moving on,” he said.

Corbitt said the couple’s move to Andalusia comes at a good time.

“My wife teaches in Luverne, and with our son graduated from Auburn and our daughter a freshman at the University of Alabama, we’ve got a bit of empty nest syndrome going on,” he said jokingly. “We’re very excited about coming to Covington County.”